Up until May 6th, 1954 no one had ever run a mile in faster than 4 minutes.
The conditions people believed were needed to break that barrier were – no wind, a dry hard track, and a multitude of cheering fans.
On May 6th, 1954 Roger Bannister arrived at the track it was cold, the track was wet, the wind was blowing 15 miles per hour, and there were only a few thousand spectators to cheer him on. For all intents and purposes, not a good recipe for what he was attempting to do.
Up until that day experts, doctors and “authorities” claimed that the 4-minute mile was impossible if not deadly. The general belief was that running a 4-minute mile was not possible and potentially lethal.
Roger decided to run that day anyway. His time was 3 minutes 59.4 seconds
He had achieved what was believed to not be possible. He had done so in conditions that were not conducive to making it possible.
How? Because he believed it was possible.
Prior to that day, the 4-minute mile was just slightly out of reach by 1.4 seconds, which had been the case for 9 years. 46 days later on June 21, 1954 Bannister’s record was broken at 3 minutes 57.9 seconds.
The prevailing belief system that it was impossible and deadly had been shattered.
A few things to ponder.
What is your metaphorical 4-minute mile?
What beliefs do you have that are keeping you stuck where you are?
What conditions do you believe are required to become unstuck?
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”
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